Jaime Gittleson - Assistant Principal

Website: cces.hcpss.org
Location: 10320 Quarterstaff Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 313-6866
Facebook: facebook.com/ClemensCrossingElementary
Twitter: @hcpss_cces

For another language, click "Translate Newsletter" tab and select the language of choice at the top of this page.

Spanish

Para otros idiomas, haga clic en Traducir Newsletter y elija el idioma que prefiera.

Korean

다른 언어의 경우 뉴스 레터 번역을 클릭하고 원하는 언어를 선택합니다.

Chinese

对于其他语言，请单击翻译新闻通讯，然后选择所需的语言。

Urdu

دوسری زبانوں کے لئے ، نیوزلیٹر کا ترجمہ کریں پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسند کی زبان کا انتخاب کریں۔

November

• 19 - Picture re-take day
• 21 - Conference Scheduling Window Closes at 4pm
• 25 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Parent/Teacher Conferences (in person)
• 26 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Parent/Teacher Conferences (virtual)
• 27 - Schools Closed for Students - Parent/Teacher Conferences (virtual)
• 28 - Schools and Offices Closed
• 29 - Schools and Offices Closed

December

• 3 - Time to be green Tuesday - Wear Green
• 3 - PTA Holiday Shop Open from 4:15 - 7:15 p.m.
• 4 - PTA Holiday Shop Open from 4:15 - 7:15 p.m.
• 5 - PTA Holiday Shop Open from 4:15 - 7:15 p.m.
• 5 - Spirit Day - Be a Hero for Inclusion! Dress as someone you look up to!
• 6 - Spirit Day - Exercise your right to be different! Wear athletic wear!
• 11 - PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 13 - Spirit Day - Sweater Day! Wear your ugliest/most interesting/favorite sweater!
• 19 - Winter Concert at Atholton HS, 6:30 p.m.
• 23 - Schools Closed for Winter Break December 23 through January 1

To subscribe to the CCES calendar on your smartphone, electronic device, or email system use the calendar ID sqspkjkbr6v6arss44js3n21eg@group.calendar.google.com.

There will be no printed 2024-2025 calendars. Staff, students, and families may add our online calendar to their own mobile/online calendar by

1. Going to https://www.hcpss.org/calendar/
2. Scrolling down to Subscribing to a Calendar
3. Right-clicking on the calendar you wish to subscribe to
4. Selecting Copy Link Location/Address/Shortcut
5. Adding to your calendar of choice (See your calendar for specifics on adding a new calendar)

You also may view and/or download printable PDFs of the full calendar and/or important dates only. Updates to the PDFs will be noted on the HCPSS calendar page.

PLEASE NOTE! The calendar is subject to change. The online calendar reflects the most recent version.

Calendars in Spanish, Chinese, and Korean

西班牙语日历

스페인어로 된 달력

Dear Families,

You are still able to schedule Parent Conferences until Thursday, November 21st at 4pm. More info can be found here.

In addition, American Education Week is this upcoming week. Monday is the official visit day. Please see more information here.

Thank you!

Mrs. Leader, Principal

Mrs. Gittleson, Assistant Principal

Picture re-take day is next Tuesday, November 19. If you would like your child to have a new picture, please contact Mrs. Aballo in the front office and she will ensure that your student receives a re-take. All students who were absent on picture day, or are new to CCES since picture day, will have a photo taken for the yearbook. If those families would like to purchase a photo package, please to to mylifetouch.com and use Picture Day ID: EVT6PWPGB

We are collecting gift cards to support some of our families in need this holiday season. If you would like to contribute, please bring gift cards to the front office. (Do NOT send then in with your child.) There will be a donation box available during American Education Week or on the first day of parent conferences. Please select gift cards from the following stores in $25 increments:

~Safeway

~Giant

~Target

~Walmart

If you are a family in need of support, or have any questions, please contact Ann Rogers: ann_rogers@hcpss.org

Thank you for your generosity!

The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to stephanie_pazornick@hcpss.org by December 20, 2024. Contact Stephanie Pazornick, CCES Reading Specialist, with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.

The HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. Those eligible for Free and Reduced Meals receive both breakfast and lunch for free.

Parents/guardians must submit a new application every school year to maintain their student’s eligibility. Click the button below to apply.

Health Services information can be found online and will be continually updated. All students, staff and visitors should perform daily health checks and may not enter an HCPSS bus or building if they exhibit any signs of a communicable disease. Details, including infection control protocols for communicable diseases like COVID-19, are available online.

Next after school art session starts Thursday, November 21.

KidzArt at CCES: Session Two

https://campscui.active.com/orgs/KidzArtMaryland?orglink=camps-registration

KidzArt is a FUN, art-enrichment program designed to enhance drawing skills and build each child’s confidence. By using our simple drawing method and specialized format, students will learn to focus, relax and think creatively. Our Certified Instructors help students create original works of art, take risks and think outside of the box. Within each session, students will explore a variety of artist grade materials, such as oil and chalk pastels, watercolor, charcoal, clay, copper, textured papers and much more. Younger children practice following directions and using fine motor skills. Older children love having the creative freedom and guidance to further their skills. KidzArtists will bring home a new masterpiece each week with a kid-tested and educationally rich curriculum that NEVER REPEAT!

Do you want to give your child a unique and exciting first look into STEM? Enroll your child in the Science Olympiad Division A program! Last year, students on the CCES Division A Science Olympiad team left the annual Maryland States Division A Science Olympiad Tournament with many medals, smiles, and a new appreciation for science. The school also received a trophy for finishing 6th place overall of all the Maryland teams that competed.

Science Olympiad (SciOly) is a fun and competitive organization built around the world of STEM, with opportunities for student teamwork, problem solving, and more. SciOly’s hands-on, inquiry-based activities (Events) challenge students in grades 3-5 to build their own understanding of basic scientific concepts including measurement, force, engineering design and energy. Each student typically competes in 2-3 events and will have 1 or 2 partners that they work with for each event. You can check this document for a brief description of each of our 19 competition events for the 2025 season:

These are the meeting dates for SciOly this year:

Please check this document for a brief description of each of our 19 events: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12lGD0_wtmIvO1mUgVbpgoqO4wxPHdL7p_FjEuImKI4s/edit?usp=sharing

In late April 2025, students will participate in the Maryland States Division A Science Olympiad competition with the opportunity to compete in 2-3 events and receive ribbons, medals, as well as earn a trophy for their school if the team performs well overall.

We will be meeting every other Tuesday starting November 12th from 4pm-5pm in Ms. McBrien’s classroom (in the 2nd grade pod). At these meetings, trained and passionate high-school volunteers from River Hill HS will come to CCES to teach the children about their events, offer resources, and do interactive science activities. If your child is interested in participating in this exciting science program, please fill out this form to indicate your interest and receive more information: https://forms.gle/srRvBdZvsJbwe9FQ7. Thank you!

Our annual PTA Read-a-thon is on now! Running until November 15th.

Encourage your child in their reading! There are great prizes - all based on the number of minutes kids read (each class is competing against the other classes in the same grade level)

Register your student here! https://app.givebacks.gives/ccesreadathon2024

You will get a unique URL to share with family & friends to sponsor your child as they read.

All money raised goes to Clemens Crossing PTA, to run enrichments, programs and events right here at CCES.

Questions? Email Mary Monroe at mfmayo@gmail.com

December 3-5

Our PTA Holiday Shop is coming up the week following Thanksgiving!! This kid favorite generates huge excitement among our students each holiday season!

It's a wonderful opportunity for kids (CCES students & their siblings) to shop for the holiday that's special to their family and choose gifts for their loved ones - for Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or New Year - or just for fun!

We also need plenty of volunteers to help run the shop! Sign up to help [goog_1877145639]here: https://evite.me/g5mEf8qkQq

The Shop will run over 3 consecutive afternoons after school - Tuesday December 3rd to Thursday December 5th. Gifts will range in price from 50 cents to $20, with the vast majority of gifts costing less than $5 each.

Don't forget we are collecting donations of new or like-new small gift items to supplement our inventory for this year’s holiday shop ✨⛄️🎁 So many of us have items lying around the house that our kids have lost interest in - but are still in perfect condition! What a great opportunity to clear stuff out of your house!! It could be kids' toys, activities, jewelry, or stuff for adults - really any item a child might like to give to a loved one for the holidays! Send items in (or drop them in) to the front office at school marked "holiday shop". If you are coming in-person to conferences on Monday 11/25, what a perfect opportunity to drop off items then!!

Alternatively, if you'd prefer to make a donation of new items to our Shop , check out our Amazon wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2STYDZSERJ55P?ref=cm_sw_em_r_un_un_8leYpYgO6ag6H

Holiday Shop is fun for our kids and a fundraiser for our PTA - all profits go straight back into enrichments, events and activities for our wonderful CCES students!

Join here: https://clemens.givebacks.com/

The single most important thing you can do to support PTA this year is to join! Your $15 membership goes a long way to help us run programs like the Science Fair, International Night, Talent Show, Trunk or Treat, the Book Fair, Holiday Shop and so much more. Did you know that our PTA helps reduce the cost of school field trips through direct sponsorship? PTA also offers scholarships for students to participate in after school activities. All of these things and more are made possible through families and staff joining our PTA!

Our CCES PTA makes a big contribution to our school through family events, student enrichment and staff appreciation. Be part of it! Becoming a member does not obligate you to volunteer your time. There are many ways big and small to be involved in PTA throughout the year but if there is only ONE thing you're able to do for PTA , simply become a member and make a contribution to the excellence of our Clemens school community.

Join here: https://clemens.givebacks.com/

If you have concerns about your child's development - whether it's their speech, motor skills, social skills or learning - it's important to act now. Waiting until the summer for a referral can delay crucial support that your child may need before starting kindergarten.

Contact us today to schedule a screening. Let's work together to ensure your child has the best possible start in kindergarten!

Call 410-313-7046 or email ChildFind@hcpss.org

* For assistance with registering, call 410-313-2273 (voice/ relay) or email children@howardcountymd.gov

* To request sign language, interpreter or other accommodations to attend, call at least one week in advance.

The Basics Howard County

Research shows that 90% of brain growth happens by age five. The Basics provide five simple things parents can do to make the most of these early years. Parents in Howard County can receive free tips directly to their phone to support their child by signing up for Basics Insights. These weekly text messages provide suggestions based on your child’s developmental stage, from birth to age five (available in English or Spanish).
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/children-families/basics

Howard County Parent Pages Newsletter

Sign up for the Parent Pages, a newsletter published by the Howard County Office of Children and Families for parents, caregivers and agencies working with families. Each monthly issue features information to help parents and caregivers learn how to promote positive parenting for children’s development. It highlights workshops, local resources, events, parenting information, and agency programs targeted to help families grow and thrive in Howard County. This newsletter is a part of the Howard County Family Institute, an education, information and community outreach program.

Join us for “Alice in Wonderland” and an exclusive tea party before the show at Mt. Hebron High School on Sunday, November 24. Meet the characters, enjoy delicious snacks, and create fun crafts from 12:00pm-1:30pm. After the tea party in the cafeteria, you will be escorted to your VIP seats in the auditorium for the 2pm show. Tickets for the tea party and show are $20 for children and $16 for adults (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Tickets are limited and you can purchase tickets here!

Don’t miss out on this chance to join Alice and friends for a day filled with laughter and fun. Remember, it’s always time for tea in Wonderland!

*Activities are geared to students 10 and under but all are welcome. This is not a drop off event. An adult is required to accompany young children.